Huawei bolster HMS, AppGallery now the world's 3rd biggest app store

Due to the ongoing conflict between China and US, tech giant Huawei was forced not to ship its newest phones with Google Mobile Services (GMS) and hasten the development of its own, THE Huawei Mobile Services (HMS).

File photo: APAC 2019 Huawei Developer Day

APAC 2019 Huawei Developer Day highlights

At the recently concluded APAC 2019 Huawei Developer Day event in Singapore, the Chinese multinational technology company announced it has strengthened its footprint in the Asia Pacific region and it has new services designed for developers and users to ensure platform growth.

To recall, Huawei Mobile Services include Huawei Mobile Cloud, Huawei AppGallery, Video, Themes, ScreenMagazine, and more.

AppGallery is now the world's 3rd biggest app store

Now the 3rd biggest in the world

While Google Play and Apple App Stores are still the two largest app markets in the world, Huawei's AppGallery is rapidly growing. According to Huawei, in a short period of time, it is now the world's 3rd biggest app store.

To date, 50,000 apps have already integrated into the HMS Core. Huawei revealed that it is available to 570 million global users in 170 countries and regions. 

Zhang Ping'an, President, Huawei Consumer Cloud Service claimed that in less than two years, the company garnered more than 390 million average monthly active users with total downloads of 180 billion times yearly.

Moreover, more than 1.07 million developers have registered to Huawei to ensure more apps will be available for its users.

At the AppGallery, Huawei users can search and download mobile apps in 18 different categories like Games, Education, Lifestyle, Daily Essential, and Fashion.

We are now taking a proactive approach to reach out to e-hailing, financial services, education, food and beverage, entertainment and lifestyle service providers in each country, to enhance our platform’s contents progressively. Moreover, users can continue to enjoy more exclusive services and rewards to maximize their experience with Huawei, continued Zhang Ping'an.

Basically, the company highlighted that it aims to onboard more high-quality apps and services onto the AppGallery.

Huawei said that it is HMS Core will also be prepared for the upcoming age of 5G.

While you can still install Google apps and services to those phones (Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro), this move shows that Huawei is serious in strengthening its own app store.

Treat to APAC users

During the event, Huawei has also announced an improved and more secured Mobile Cloud service with FREE 5GB storage and 1 month of 50GB storage for HMS users in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Huawei has also introduced the Huawei Member Center app from the AppGallery with rewards and points from Trip.com hotel booking voucher and Lazada shopping voucher available in the app. 

By downloading the HUAWEI Member Center app from the AppGallery, users in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand can now redeem free HUAWEI Points, 

There are exclusive gifts for Mate 30 series users as well like the 3 months of FREE 50GB Huaweu Mobile Cloud storage, 2 years warranty, and FREE screen replacement from Huawei HiCare.

To know more about these promos read here.

For the developers

Huawei has reinforced its support for its developers as well

To recall, a total of USD 1B has been invested in the Huawei Shining-Star Programme to support its mobile app developers around the world last August.

The Shining-Star Programme is designed to provide training, innovation supports, and marketing resources to apps and services relating to AI, AR/VR, and IoT. Developers who are eligible for the program.

They will be given priority access Huawei's new open capabilities and receive incentive support in marketing their products and services.

The company announced that Huawei Mobile Services has also opened up its chipset-device-cloud capabilities to the global developers. It will grant its developers full access to 24 HMS Core kits, 55 services, and 997 APIs.

HMS open capabilities cover various development scenarios with services such as Map, In-App Purchases (IAP), HiAi, AR and VR. Developers only need to integrate the HMS Ecosystem once, then distribute their service across HUAWEI smart devices to reach global users. 

To further promote HMS to developers and highlight its open capabilities, Huawei Developer Day (HDD) will be held in different cities across the APAC region.

Highlights of HMS Core

It covers code labs, tech-trend analysis, case studies, and the latest industry insights.

Also, developers can meet Huawei's tech experts and get hands-on support for integrating HMS into their apps. 

Huawei also has student incubation programs such as DigiX Geek Contest, AI internship and campus ambassador to be rolled out under the Shining-Star initiative.

It is the company's way to encourage innovations among young developers and support them to take part in building the HUAWEI ecosystem.

In the Philippines, Huawei has recently held its first Huawei Developer Day last October 10.

See also: Huawei highlights GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear and FreeBuds 3 in SG!

What do you guys think of this move by Huawei?